2006-10-24 15:42:26 · 6 answers · asked by Dave R 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Atmospheric pressure at the earth's surface is only about 15 pounds per square inch. That's the same pressure as the air in our lungs, so that's in balance. The rest of our body can easily handle that pressure and a lot more. Diving about 32 feet underwater doubles that pressure, and divers routinely go much deeper.
2006-10-24 15:48:37 · answer #1 · answered by Frank N 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cirric is partially right: our bodies exert an equal amount of force outward to balance the force on the outside of our bodies. however, rocks arent made of water, and yet they are not squished. its simply the force exerted outwards is the same as the force being exerted on it.
our bodies can also adapt much more to changes in pressure. we can live thousands of feet above sea level, and dive hundreds of feet into the ocean: both where pressure is much different than at sea level. its just the way our bodies, and most matter, for that point, is formed. newtons third law can help you understand, in a sense, why...but it *is not* the only reason why.
2006-10-24 15:52:29 · answer #2 · answered by SideWinderGX 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atmosphere can certainly crush us, if it cant squeze the solid portion it can certainly squeze the airy portion, it is blood pressure that maintain a balance, if we go out in vaccum blood will certaily errupt from veins as there is no external pressure , thats why astronauts wear space suit..
2006-10-24 15:53:46 · answer #3 · answered by vaibhavtewari 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi. Because our bodies exert an equal pressure outward. Also, we are made of nearly incompressible material, water.
2006-10-24 15:46:29 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are. We just have the strength to resist, well some of us do at least. Some of us lay paralyzed on a couch.
2006-10-24 15:50:45 · answer #5 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://school-for-champions.com/science/fluidpressure.htm
2006-10-24 15:57:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋